The Essential Book of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Paperback)

~ Liu Yanchi (Author), Kathleen Vian (Editor), Peter Eckman (Editor), Fang Tingyu (Translator), Chen Laidi (Translator) "TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE is an ancient medicine, Asian in character..." (more)
Key Phrases: basic life materials, second branch ascends, antipathogenic factor, Plain Questions, Twelve Principal Channels, Triple Burner (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

U.S. and Chinese scholars have collaborated to produce this unique treatise on the modern practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Vol. 1 discusses the theoretical foundations: yin-yang , the five elements and eight principles, the organs and channels, etiology, pathogenesis, examination, and diagnosis. Vol. 2 emphasizes herbal medicine, containing an exhaustive materia medica with indications, dosages, common treatments, and acupuncture points. Appropriate research collections should acquire this excellent set. Libraries catering to informed lay readers may safely purchase only Vol. 1. Judith Eannarino, George Washington Univ. Lib., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Reflects a great deal of work not only by the author...but also by a group of ten highly proficient translators and editors on both sides of the Pacific who did a wonderful job. -- Review

[An] excellent encyclopedic handbook. -- Science and Technology Reference Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 305 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (February 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231103573
• ISBN-13: 978-0231103572
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #207,261 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction and reference, May 18, 2001

By	Mauricio C. Quintana "cintain" (Mexico City, DF Mexico) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is brief enough to be used as a handy reference, yet filled with just the right amount of accurate detail to give a complete, concise picture of a subject sometimes obscured by hype.

All the basic theoretical landmarks (yin-yang, five phases, meridians, six excesses, seven emotions, eight principles) are given attention, together with a glimpse of diagnostic and treatment techniques. All the information presented on disease-patterns, diagnostic techniques, etc., is summarized into clear tables. Informative footnotes are used to clarify and expand, as well as refer the reader to both classical and modern sources.

This book is less flashy than others which purport to present Chinese Medicine, yet I believe it is one of the better introductory texts, both because of its size, and because it maintains a balance between information for students and a language accessible to interested laypersons with no prior knowledge of Acupuncture or TCM. It makes no debased claims, and presents all the information from a scholarly perspective, based on current teaching and practice models used in the People's Republic of China. The style is sober, yet engaging and easy to read.

As a student of Chinese Medicine, I encourage everybody who is interested in this subject to add this book to their reading list. It is one of the books I'm always going back to when studying from other texts.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Clear Explanation of the Traditional Chinese Medicine, April 6, 2001

By	Rocannon MacGregor "zenfire" (Glendale, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Essential Book of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Vol. 2 Clinical Practice (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for people deeply interested in understanding true Traditional Oriental Medicine. The book is efficiently designed, the index is excellent, and the writing is clear. Chapter one gives an overview. Then there is a concise explanation of yin-yang theory and the Five Elements. The Organ and Channel systems are well-defined and described in enough detail to give a good comprehensive feel for their inter-relationships. The causes and course of disease is thoughtfully presented. Finally the Methods of Examination and Diagnosis are covered, again with enough detail so that a new student to traditional medicine can, in reading just this one book, have a good basic foundation for pursuing the life-long study of this most profound medicine. On the down side, Oriental Medicine is such a vast field that no one book can give more than a brief overview, or else a deep look into a single area of investigation. Also if you are looking for treatment protocols this book does not have them. And because of the length of the book (only 305 pages) the depth of detail is not great. The book is dedicated to laying out, effectively and efficiently the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine. And that task has been well done.